Officials in the Obama administration are considering suing Arizona over its new immigration law in order to block the legislation from taking effect. The Arizona law criminalizes illegal immigration by defining it as trespassing and empowers police to question anyone they have a “reasonable suspicion” is an illegal immigrant if the individual is stopped for some other legitimate reason. President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have been fervent critics of the new law.

The Obama Administration contends the law has potential to lead to racial profiling. However, the legislation specifically states that police may not “solely consider race, color or national origin” in questioning people about their immigration status. One lawyer who contends that the new law is constitutional says, “Arizona passed this law because the federal government abdicated its enforcement responsibilities on immigration.” It seems the Obama Administration would rather protect the civil liberties of illegal aliens than enforce laws drafted by and aimed to protect US citizens.